Bill Nelson Legends POSTED BY VINNIE BLESI, September 6, 2011 Share There have been a handful of albums that have influenced my life. The first Sex Pistols release, Blondie's " Parallel Lines", Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and Bill Nelson's Red Noise release, "Sound on Sound" in 1979. The Red Noise release led me to discover Be-Bop Deluxe, which was Bill Nelson's band in the early to mid 1970's.
Bill Nelson, went on to produce ground breaking albums (for himself as well as "A Flock of Seagulls" and "The Skids") in the early 1980's.He is also in my top 3 of Guitar Gods. The other two being the late Stuart Adamson, of Big Country and Skids, and our own Nolan B. Canova.
The hermit, Bill Nelson, who has produced home recorded cd's constantly the past 20 years, only appears at the now annual Nelsonicon event, held in England every year.
Thankfully He agreed to do a UK TV series called "Legends". Having the opportunity to finally see my guitar hero live, via DVD, with a real band was fantastic organism material.
The first four songs are Bill Nelson solo with his backing tracks. He guitar prowess shines in these pseudo instrumental ambient jazz rock songs. One of the songs is a tribute to his late brother Ian Nelson. And I assume the song, "For Stuart" is about the late Stuart Adamson, which Bill Nelson produced the Skids CD "Days in Europa". These are the most intimate, and strongest personal performances by Bill Nelson.
Unfortunately, the producer of the DVD decided to make the opening four tracks bonus material. The meat of this release is of live 2011 interpretations of classic Be-Bop Deluxe tracks as well as classic Bill Nelson material from the 80's. Current live version of such great songs like, "Furniture Music" and "Do you Dream In Color" make me wish there was more material from the best Be-Bop Deluxe release, "Sunburst Finish". Bill Nelson working with a band after years of reclusiveness, is priceless in itself, regardless of the songs performed. Bill Nelson's catalog of songs is so immense, he could do a 3 day festival of just his own material.
I can hope he will stop being the reclusive person he has been, and will start sharing his musical gifts with a real live audience.
"Death By Culture" is ©2011 by Vinnie Blesi. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2011 by Nolan B. Canova. Share This Article on Facebook! Subscribe to Crazed Fanboy Message Board | Email
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